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    As a Former Buffalo Bills Player, This Was The Case When Damar Hamlin Was Reported Injured.

    A flood of memories came when I traveled to Buffalo a week ago to cover the story of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills’ safety who went into cardiac arrest during a Monday night game.

    Buffalo feels right at home.

    Growing up, I didn’t watch an NFL game in person, but that changed when I ran through the tunnel to play my first NFL game in 2002. My childhood dream came true here in Buffalo. I would end up playing here in six of my nine NFL seasons in front of the best fans in the world. Being a member of the Buffalo Bills is one of the greatest honors in my life.

    But this week has been tough. I played it safe, in the same position as Damar Hamlin, and I have an idea of what the guys on the Bills have been going through this week.

    In 2007, I was on the field watching one of my Bills teammates, Kevin Everett, get paralyzed during a game. We saw his body convulsing in the field. The ambulance arrived, and so did the tears and fears. We gathered around him in prayer on our knees. So it was hard to take it all back while imagining what this current team and this city are going through now.

    Buffalo has suffered tragedy after tragedy recently: a deadly mass shooting seven months ago, and a blizzard about two weeks ago that claimed dozens of lives. And now this? Buffalo to see one of their beloved Bills, whom they see as a source of strength in tough times, fall into the field like this was a wrenching blow to the soul.




    But if any city would come out stronger on the other side of an ordeal like this, it’s Buffalo.

    Damar Hamlin

    Damar Hamlin showed continued progress as the week progressed. He started talking to the team via video calls and thanked the world for the love he was showing him. His GoFundMe charity campaign to buy children’s toys, originally intended to raise $2,500, has grown to nearly $9 million.

    This morphed from a story about Hamelin into a story about humanity. Buffalo brought out the best in us.

    Then something magical happened. In the first game of Buffalo’s first game since No. 3, he went into cardiac arrest on the field… Buffalo’s NyHeim Hines took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.

    It’s been 3 years and 3 months since the Bills returned a kickoff for a touchdown. “It was spiritual. Chilling,” said Bills star Josh Allen. “The God behind all of this is no accident,” Damar Hamlin tweeted, watching from the hospital. Then something magical happened. In the first game of Buffalo’s first game since No. 3, he went into cardiac arrest on the field… Buffalo’s NyHeim Hines took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.

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    It’s been 3 years and 3 months since the Bills returned a kickoff for a touchdown. “It was spiritual. Chilling,” said Bills star Josh Allen. “The God behind all of this is no accident,” Damar Hamlin tweeted, watching from the hospital.

    Perhaps it is a coincidence that 3 is the number of God. Holy Trinity. But maybe not.

    The Bills would win the game 35-23. But this was much more than a game.

    Through this tragedy, the world has come together to show support for Hameln. The displays of humanity – grace, compassion, empathy, and love – were something really special.

    There is nothing in this world that brings together people of all races, places, ages, and social, economic, and religious backgrounds more than sports.

    And that has become undeniably clear here in Buffalo.

    One heart might have stopped, but it made the whole world unite to beat as one.

    And this story is not over yet.

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